Seventh Sunday after Epiphany / C - Worship Service - 11:00 AM Service -- Pastor Naomi Carriker

From February 23, 2025 11:00 am until February 23, 2025 12:00 pm
Posted by William T. Robertson
Categories: Holiday Services
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Introduction

Mercy. Mercy. Mercy. Joseph lives it in Egypt. Jesus preaches it in the gospel. The Spirit guides us into merciful lives with the power of forgiveness to reconcile what is fractured and divided. Such merciful living is the baptismal blessing of having put on Christ. It is the gift of the life-giving Spirit. It is a reflection of God’s glory revealed in Christ.

 

 

 

Prayer of the Day

O Lord Jesus, make us instruments of your peace, that where there is hatred, we may sow love, where there is injury, pardon, and where there is despair, hope. Grant, O divine master, that we may seek to console, to understand, and to love in your name, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

First Reading: 

Genesis 45:3-11, 15

Many years after being sold into slavery by his jealous brothers, Joseph reveals himself to them. Now the second-in-command in Egypt, Joseph reassures his brothers that God has used their evil intentions for good to preserve life during a devastating famine, and Joseph forgives them.

 

Psalm:

Psalm 37:1-11, 39-40 

The lowly shall possess the land; they will delight in abundance of peace. (Ps. 37:11)

Second Reading:  

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50

In the Apostles’ Creed, we speak of the “resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.” Using the metaphor of a planted seed and the story of Adam, Paul preaches passionately about the mystery of following Christ’s perfect life into eternity.

 

Gospel:  

Luke 6:27-38

Jesus continues to address a crowd of his disciples. He invites his followers to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust even on enemies and outsiders. Living in harmony with God’s intent brings the reward of overflowing blessing. [Jesus said:]

27  “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.

29  If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

30  Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

31  Do to others as you would have them do to you.  

32  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

33  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

34  If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35  But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

36  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.   

37  “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven;

38  give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”